Dr Reece Wilkinson

I am a previous student of the OU, completing the BSc Combined STEM (Honours) degree in 2018, where I studied modules covering cell biology and Earth and planetary sciences to prepare myself for research in astrobiology.

I then went on to complete an MSc in Planetary Science at UCL, where I analysed the organic content of volcanic samples from Iceland acting as analogues to similar material on Mars.

My PhD in Astrobiology at the University of Kent investigated whether planetary impacts may have influenced the origin and evolution of life on Earth by subjecting bacterial samples to hypervelocity impact using a light gas gun. 

I began working at the OU as an Associate Lecturer on S112 (Science: concepts and practice) in 2021, followed by S283 (Planetary science and the search for life) and S317 (Biological science: from genes to species). I have been a Staff Tutor in the School of Physical Sciences since October 2024; as part of this role, I am involved in the production of S287, the replacement module for S283.